MONEY which should be spent on parks is actually being given to Denbighshire County Council’s ailing school dinners service, a local authority report has revealed.

Plans are afoot to pump an annual subsidy of £150,000 into the loss-making service annually over the next five years and keep pupils on school grounds during lunch-breaks.

Last year it was revealed healthier dinners, as promoted by TV chef Jamie Oliver, had not proved as popular as hoped across the county, with take-up of the service typically rising 40% on days when fast food was served.

A report which went before Denbighshire’s lifelong learning scrutiny committee yesterday (Thursday), revealed huge losses had been met by surpluses from other budgets and funds which would have been spent on parks and open spaces.

It reads: “School meals have been in a loss-making cycle since 2005/06 and in effect have been supported by funds allocated from areas within the environment directorate.

“Most of the deficit was paid for by reducing the amount spent on parks and open spaces. The remainder was taken up by surpluses left over in other budget heads.”

As well as an annual subsidy of £150,000 until 2012, the service is set to be rebranded under a new name – Blasus – with new menus.

In addition, a model lunchtime policy will be implemented at secondary schools and a campaign launched to increase the number of free school meal registrations.

Money will also be used to improve kitchens which have been placed at the top of the council’s corporate risk register.

The report reads: “Financial support is not limited to revenue support. Many of the school kitchens are in dire need of significant investment.

“The school kitchens feature in the top risk rating within the council’s corporate risk register.

“If significant capital investment is not forthcoming it is likely that kitchen closures may result due to health and safety concerns.”

The best case-scenario, the report adds, would see losses this year of £177,000; £87,000 in 2008/09; £143,000 in 2009/10; £127,000 in 2010/11 and £158,000 in 2011/12.